Comments on: Gerald Wiggins R.I.P.

By: bob dawson

bob dawson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:49:18 +0000

heard and briefly met Wig with H Hume on nantucket in 78 or 79. All the pianists on the island were in awe of him. His breaks were such fast tempo-unbelieveable.
I toured in a Columbia Artists group out of LA in ’90 and his name came up again. His name came up recently in NYC and I looked online. I didn’t know he was gone. Thank you for all your info on him. he’s an inspiration.Bob Dawson NY, NY 7/2/09

By: Dini Clarke

Dini Clarke — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:40:10 +0000

Consumate artist, very dear friend and generous to a fault in sharing his talent when requested.We met as young pianists in the armed forces in Seatle ,1944 and remained dearest of friends. Thanks for the much deserved tribute……..Dini Clarke

By: Arnett Howard

Arnett Howard — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:16:44 +0000

As long as we talk about our loved ones, they are still here. I fell in love with Wig’s playing in my youth and have never had enough of it. Last time I was in L.A., vocalist Sonny Craver took me into a bar in Hollywood, it could have been called the Catalina. Kenny Burrell was the featured performer, but Wig wandered in and sat at our table. I was able to worship one of my heroes live in the flesh.
Wig, I’m talking about you, so you’re still here!

By: Jackie Branch

Jackie Branch — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:46:36 +0000

Devra,
I didn’t know of his passing. I knew him for many years, having met him during his tenure with the 29th Special Services Band in Ft. Lewis, WA. I married a band mate of his. So very sorry to hear of his passing. Best to his family.
Jackie

By: WINSTON

WINSTON — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:54:55 +0000

Devra,
Thank you for the extensive bio on Gerald Wiggins! You are very knowledgeable about jazz. Thanks to you we all will be better informed.
I once played the piano during the break at a party Wig’s was playing, and the next time I saw him, he came over to me, pointed at me, and said, “the piano player”! I told him he had to be kidding because HE was “the piano player”!! Still I was greatly honored!! Wig’s was that way. always encouraging.
I enjoyed my dancing with you out at Dizzland” many years ago.
Thanks for sharing your jazz knowledge.
Winston

By: Sandy Graham

Sandy Graham — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:49:13 +0000

Dear Devra,
Thanks so much for this wonderful piece on Wig. As you know, I have known him for many years and have had the pleasure of him accompanying me on all of my CD’s and we have worked together in clubs around Los Angeles. He was the best there ever was for me. But he wasn’t just a musician I worked with. He was also a dear, dear friend. I loved him so very much! I will miss him terribly. He’s the greatest! Sandy Graham

By: "Beethoven" Jean-Michel Reisser, Lausanne, Switzerland

"Beethoven" Jean-Michel Reisser, Lausanne, Switzerland — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:11:56 +0000

Dear Devra,
Thanks for this great bio about the Wig. I first met him in 1975 at “La Grande Parade du Jazz” in Nice, south of France with “Sweets” Edison and “LockJaw” Davis. They had a fantastic quintet !!! As a big and young fan ( I was 10 years old), it was a dream comes true to see this great pianist. He always has been one of my very top favourite. He has a lot of fans here in Switzerland ! We all love him so much ! Wig is timeless for all of us.

By: Eric Reed

Eric Reed — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:03:36 +0000

Devra: please forgive me for not thanking you for mentioning me in this loving tribute earlier. A million thanks – DevraDIDWrite!

By: Eric Reed

Eric Reed — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:02:18 +0000

I can hardly fathom it…Wig was an important early influence and I’ve loved the man for everything he was. It is with a very heavy heart that I must accept life without him in it, but I’m certainly a better man and a better musician for having known him.

By: LUKE G. CONLEY

LUKE G. CONLEY — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:33:11 +0000

Devra:

Your thoughtful and insightful sketch of Wig and his musical history was truly a warm trip down memory land.

I was not yet 14 years old when I first heard Wig play, in Los Angeles. Through my mother, I learned that he had a good friend, Nat Cole’s guitarist, Oscar Moore, who happened to be my cousin. Oscar’s wife’s devotion to Wig’s music took her to nearly every one of his performances. In fact, she was with Wig and Lynn at the fabled Otter Crest Jazz Party, in Oregon, when she died.

So many of us are fortunate enough to have shared the many venues and cruises with Wig and Lynn, over the years. He and Benny Carter were truly cut from the same cloth: gentlemen through and through, and Masters of Jazz Music who graced us all with every note he ever played.

He left us too soon.

Luke Conley